Aarush Impact - AVP/Lead - Strategic Engagement & Communications (10-20 yrs)

- The Strategic Engagement and Communications Lead will play a critical advisory role in shaping the organization's communications and engagement strategies.

- This individual will be responsible for developing and guiding communication approaches for programs and organizational branding, handling crisis communications, and ensuring alignment with the political landscape and media intelligence.

- The role involves advisory inputs, strategic oversight, and collaboration across teams to enhance the organization's engagement efforts.

What the Candidate Will Do:

- The candidate will serve as the custodian of the organization's political and media intelligence, providing advisory inputs on communications and engagement strategies.

- They will also oversee the vetting of Annual and Quarterly plans from a communications and political standpoint and guide program-level and organization-level strategies.

What the Job Requires:

- This position requires strong journalistic or public relations expertise, a deep understanding of the political landscape, and the ability to handle complex communications challenges, including crisis management.

- The candidate should be adept at government engagement and event convening while ensuring alignment with media and stakeholder expectations.

How an Ideal Candidate Will Look Like:

- An ideal candidate is a seasoned journalist or public relations expert with extensive experience in the development sector or PR agencies managing development projects.

- They possess strong strategic thinking capabilities, a keen understanding of political and media landscapes, and the ability to provide high-value advisory support.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Communications Strategy Development:

- Develop communications strategies for programs and organizational branding.

- Ensure alignment of communication approaches with organizational goals.

- Provide advisory support on AO-level products and program strategies.

- Guideteams on engaging champions and influencers effectively.

2. Crisis Communications:

- Develop and oversee crisis communication strategies to mitigate risks.

- Actasthe primary advisor on communications during crises or high-pressure situations.

- Ensure transparent and effective communication with stakeholders during crises.

3. Political and Media Intelligence:

- Actasthe custodian of political and media intelligence, regularly monitoring and sharing updates with relevant teams.

- Provide strategic insights into political opportunities and risks at national and regional levels.

- Analyze media trends and advise on strategies to engage with mainstream and digital media effectively.

4. Government and Stakeholder Engagement:

- Build and maintain relationships with government officials and agencies at national and regional levels.

- Advise teams on effective strategies for government engagement.

- Ensure alignment of engagement strategies with the political landscape.

5. Convening and Event Management

- Guideandoversee the organization of conferences, workshops, and other events.

- Collaborate with teams to ensure events are aligned with strategic communication goals.

- Provide inputs on event themes, stakeholders, and engagement approaches.

6. Advisory Role on Strategic Plans

- Reviewand vet 90-day and annual plans from a communications and political standpoint.

- Provide recommendations to ensure alignment with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.

- Support the CEO with strategic insights for final decision-making.

7. Stakeholder Collaboration

- Actasanadvisor to AO leads and other stakeholders on communication and engagement strategies.

- Collaborate across departments to ensure integrated communication approaches.

Core Competencies:

Technical Expertise:

- Strong understanding of journalistic practices and public relations strategies.

- In-depth knowledge of the political landscape (national and regional).

- Proficiency in mainstream media dynamics and basic understanding of digital media.

- Experience in crisis communication management and stakeholder engagement.

Strategic and Advisory Skills:

- Ability to provide high-level advisory support on communication strategies.

- Strategic thinking to align communication efforts with organizational priorities.

- Expertise in vetting and refining strategic plans from a political and communication standpoint.

Interpersonal and Leadership Skills:

- Exceptional communication skills for engaging with media, government, and stakeholders.

- Strong relationship-building abilities with internal teams and external partners.

- Problem-solving capabilities to address complex communication challenges

Level: Leadership

Experience Level:

- Minimum 10+ years of experience in journalism, public relations, or communications. Proven experience in the development sector or PR agencies managing development projects. Experience in handling crisis communications, government engagement, and event convening.

Education Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree is compulsory, preferably in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, or related fields. A Master's degree in a relevant field is highly desirable.

Skills: Political and Media intelligence, Strategic thinking and advisory capabilities,

- Strong communication and relationship-building skills, Crisis management and problem-solving abilities

Workplace Preference: Office-based, with travel to meet the Stakeholders

Salary Bracket: INR 20-30LPA, depending on experience